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Healthy eating for pregnancy

Chart showing serves of healthy foods for pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, aim for 2 serves of fruit; 5 serves of vegies; 2½ serves of dairy or alternatives; 8½ serves of grains; and 3½ serves of lean meats, nuts and legumes.

Pregnant woman exercising

You don’t need to eat a lot more. Aim to increase your nutrient intake by eating a wide variety of healthy foods, including plenty of water and wholegrains.

Fome foods that can cause allergies

In pregnancy, there’s no need to avoid allergenic foods that you’re not allergic to – for example, peanuts or eggs.

Important nutrients in pregnancy

Healthy foods containing calcium for pregnancy

Options for extra calcium in pregnancy include low-fat milk, yoghurt, hard cheeses and fortified soy drinks.

Examples of food high in protein

For protein, try lean meat, cooked eggs, salmon or tuna, beans, nuts, lentils, chickpeas and tofu.

Serves of food high in iron and folate

Foods with iron include lean red meat and canned tuna. Foods with iron and folate include beans, green leafy vegetables, tofu, fortified breakfast cereals, wholegrain foods and nuts.

Foods to avoid in pregnancy

Foods to avoid in pregnancy

Limit fish high in mercury, like flake and marlin, to 1 serve a fortnight. Limit caffeine.

Food to avoid in pregnancy

Reduce listeria and salmonella risk by avoiding ready-to-eat chilled food, soft cheeses, raw eggs and undercooked food, especially meat. Store and prepare food hygienically.

Hamburger, donuts, alcohol

Limit the amount of sugary and fatty foods that you eat. Don’t drink alcohol in pregnancy.

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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